Darren McDaniel - WIN The Musical

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Darren McDaniel

Sociologist, storyteller, educator, and optimologist, Darren McDaniel creates work that invites reflection and connection. From community hubs to the stage, his projects—like WIN—blend wit, warmth, and humanity to spark fresh, expand possibilities.

Lights Up: Join WIN's First 100 Fund

Lights Up: Join WIN's First 100 Fund

For nearly two years, WIN: An AmericanAmusical has been taking shape behind the scenes—in scores, scripts, and countless hours of creative development. Now, with the launch of the website, the lights are rising. We are officially and publicly launching the next phase of this journey and are thrilled to

For the Record 002

Paid-members only

For the Record 002

Adventures in A.I., Part 1

Adventures in A.I., Part 1

August 17, 2025 In recent months, I've spent a substantial amount of time exploring ways in which A.I. tools could support the wide-scale development of WIN. This, of course, is an evolving process, with new needs emerging while radical platform changes open fresh frontiers of possibility--seemingly every

Good-week, Grand Rapids!

Good-week, Grand Rapids!

After a 22-hour stint 10/1/23-10/2/23 and a 20-hour return on 5/26/25, I knew that my next visit needed to have some breathing room to it. Round 3: a complete week! I'm not sure how many people get giddy about their first flight

For the Record 001

Paid-members only

For the Record 001

My Accidental Musical

My Accidental Musical

“I spend more time than any human being reasonably should thinking about Gerald Ford” - Ben Bradford, Landslide I first heard those words, from Ben Bradford, creator of the Landslide podcast, within a week of the episode’s April, 2024, release. I had already fallen in love with the podcast

"Win some, lose some, winsome again"

Betty Ford — from Winsome Times

"You know that thing that shouldn’t happen, then it happens?"

Junior Gerald Ford — from Getting There

"If the rooms had been someplace else, there would be no Gate"

Richard Nixon — from For the Record

"All aboard the carousel; Where, when stable starts to smell; Just look up, around as well; Other riders parallel; Maybe one will ring your bell..."

The Muse, M — from Rapids Redux Carousel

"No matter IF or HOW, the systems sure SEEMS broken
And if the people, having spoken…"

Jimmy Carter — from Nuts and Jolts

"Able-bodied, field or pool; Trained to keep most of my cool"

Gerald Ford — from Remarkably Unremarkable

🎧 Hover or tap a lyric to hear its story